Al Wahda book Arabian Gulf Cup final ticket

Fujairah - Tagliabue nets hat trick for The Clarets as they go through 8-5 on aggregate

A hat trick by Sebastian Tagliabue paved the way for Al Wahda in the Arabian Gulf Cup final with an 8-5 aggregate win over Dibba after a close 4-3 victory in the second leg at Fujairah stadium on Thursday.

The Clarets had won the first leg 4-2 at Al Nahyan Stadium, but found that their two-goal advantage had vanished within five minutes. Dibba got off to a flyer when Diogo da Silva's shot was parried by goalkeeper Rashed Ali but Rodolfo da Silva finished the rebound from close range into the empty net, giving the hosts the lead less than 60 seconds into the game.

Dibba added a second blow to Al Wahda as Rodolfo da Silva doubled their lead in the fourth minute, heading home Ahmed Rashed's right footed cross.

The visitors got back into the game in the 18th minute as Sebastian Tagliabue took advantage of Dibba's defenders poor clearance and controlled the ball inside the box before applying a spectacular back-heel finish into the net.

Mourad Batna equalised the score 12 minutes before the break when the goalkeeper blocked Tagliabue's shot into his path and the Moroccan finished the ball into the empty goal.

The hosts took the lead again when captain Driss Feltouhi dribbled on the right flank before sending a golden pass to Sanad Ali to tap in Dibba's third goal three minutes into the second half.

Dibba suffered a blow at the hour mark as they had to complete the match with ten players after dismissal of Yasser Salem who received his second yellow card.

Tagliabue completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds after he broke free on the counter to ensure Al Wahda win the reverse fixture 4-3 and advance to the final where they will face the winner between Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli who were scheduled to play later on Thursday night.